NUS’s grade points
| Grade | A+ | A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | D+ | D | F |
|---|
| Points | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
The GPA (called the CAP until August 2023, when MCs became units too) is each course’s grade point × its units, added up and ÷ the units of all the graded courses. A 4-unit A and a 4-unit B+ are (5 × 4 + 4 × 4) ÷ 8 = 4.50. This scale is for every faculty but Law, Dentistry and Medicine.
S/U: a course you S/U shows S for a D or above, U for an F. Neither counts in the GPA, and only an S earns the units. NUS’s Grade-Free Scheme gives you 32 units of S/U, for your first year.
Questions
What GPA is first class honours at NUS?
First class is now Honours (Highest Distinction): a GPA of 4.50 and above, and some programmes ask for more. The classes are Honours (Highest Distinction) 4.50 and above, Honours (Distinction) 4.00 to 4.49, Honours (Merit) 3.50 to 3.99, Honours 3.00 to 3.49 and Pass 2.00 to 2.99.
How is the NUS GPA calculated?
Each course’s grade point (A+ 5.0, A 5.0, A- 4.5, B+ 4.0, B 3.5, B- 3.0, C+ 2.5, C 2.0, D+ 1.5, D 1.0 and F 0.0) × its units, added up, ÷ the units of all your graded courses. A+ and A are both 5.00. S/U courses aren’t in it.
Does S/U count in my GPA?
No. An S (D or above) or U (F) isn’t in the GPA either way; an S earns the units and a U doesn’t. So S/U a course whose grade is below your GPA, and keep one above it.
What grades do I need for Highest Distinction?
With a GPA of 4.20 over 80 units and 80 units to come, Honours (Highest Distinction) takes an average of 4.80 in them (between A- and A), and Honours (Distinction) 3.80 (between B and B+). Put your own in the calculator.
Is the GPA the same as the CAP?
Yes. NUS renamed the Cumulative Average Point (CAP) the Grade Point Average (GPA) on 1 August 2023, modular credits (MCs) units and modules courses. The points are the same.
Are my grades sent anywhere?
No. It’s all worked out in this page: your grades and units aren’t sent anywhere, kept or put in its address.
NUS’s grade points and classes from the Registrar’s Office’s grade legend, checked on 2 Nov 2026. A guide, not NUS’s word: your own GPA is on NUS’s student portal.